Territory



No. 623,542.- Patented Apr'. 25, I899.

a; w. HAMILTON.-

CAR COUPLING.

(Application filed June 5, 1897. Renewed Nov. 8, 1898.) 4N0 Model.)

a WWW 27 UNIT o 'TATES GEORGE \V. HAMILTON, OF GLOBE, ARIZONA TERhlTORY.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,542, dated April 25, 1899.

Application filed June 6, 1897. Renewed November 3, 1898. Serial No. 695,416. No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Globe, in the county of Gila and Territory of Arizona, have invented anew and useful Gar- Ooupling, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in car-couplings.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction of car-couplings and to provide a device of this character which shall he automatic in operation, thereby overcoming the necessity of an attendant passing between cars to couple or uncouple the same; and, further, the invention contemplates a coupling which shall be so constructed as to support a link in its proper position for readily enter- .ing an opposing draw-head when coupling and which shall also prevent dirt and other foreign substances accumulating in the drawhead.

WVith these objects in view the invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as willbe hereinafter fully illustrated, described, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a car -coupling constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan View, thepin-supportingblock-beingremoved. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the pin-supporting block.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the figures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a draw-head, which may be formed of any suitable material adapted for the purpose and gradually tapers from one end to the other, as clearly shown, a coupling-pin 2 being arranged at the enlarged end of said draw-head and passing through verti'ca-lly-alined openings 3, formed in said end.

Disposed within the draw-head l is a sliding pin-supporting block 4, which block may be of any desired material, and formed centrally at the inner end of said block and extending therefrom is a stem 5, which is adapted to slide within a central longitudinal passage (3, extending from the inner end wall of the draw-head and through the latter toward its rear end. Encircling the stem 5 is acoiled spring 7, which exerts its tension to force the pin-supporting block 4 outwardly, and formed in said stem 5 is an elongated slot 8, through which passes a securing-pin 9, said pin extending through the draw-head 1, and thereby limits the outward movement of the pinsupporting block 4. It is to be noted that the coiledspring 7 lies between the inner end of the pin-supporting block 4 and the securingpin 9, so that when said pin-supporting block is forced inwardly said coiled spring is compressed, the elongated slot 8 permitting said block being capable of an inward sliding motion, and by reason of the compression of said coiled spring 7 the pin-supporting block 4 will be-imrnediately forced outwardly when pressure thereon is removed.

The outer end of the pin-supporting block 4 is inclined, and formed at the center ofsaid inclined end is a nose 10, which nose divides said inclined end into a pair of notches 11, theobject of the nose 10 being to properly support a link when the latter has been placed in the draw-head, and thereby hold said link in a position for readily entering an opposing draw-head when. coupling, the link for use with the herein described coupling being slightly modified from the ordinary construction by providing at each of its ends a central notch which is adapted to receive the nose 10, and by reason of said nose entering the notch in the end of the link said link is supported in its proper position. \Vhile only a pair of notches ll have been illustrated as formed in the outer end of the pin-supporting block 4, it will of course be understood that as many as desired may be employed, the ends of the link being correspondingly notched, so as to register with and be held by the pinsupporting block when said link has been inserted in the draw-head.

Mounted upon the end of the draw-head l, in which the coupling-pin 2 is disposed, is a transversely-arran ged guide-plate 12,through which said coupling pin passes, and said guide-plate is secured upon the draw-head 1 by pins 13, which pass through the ends of said guide-plate and enter and project through the upper flanged edges of said draw-head,

and for securely holding said pins staples 1a or their equivalent are employed. The staples 11L are removably secured in the ends of the pins 13 and will thereby permit the guideplate 12 being easily detached from the drawhead 1 should the coupling-pin 2 be injured in any manner as to prevent it properly performing its functions. At the upper end of the coupling-pin 2 a head-plate 15 is attached, said plate resting upon a shoulder 16, formed by reducing the upper end of the coupling pin, and the plate 15 is secured to the coupling-pin by a key or ring 17. The key or ring consists of a piece of metal passed through the perforation of the coupling-pin at a point above the shoulder 16 and having its end bent, as shown, while the metal is cold, so that the key or ring may be readily opened and disengaged from the coupling-pin to permit the latter to be removed should it become bent, broken, or otherwise injured. The head-plate 15 is provided at its ends with openings 18, and is connected with the guideplate 12 by stay-chains 19, which are linked into suitable eyes 20 of the guide-plate. The stay-chains 19 limit the upward movement of the coupling-pin and prevent the same from accidentallyleaving the guide-plate, and the plate 15 prevents the stay-chains from twisting around the coupling-pins, as would be the case were the stay-chains attached directly to the coupling-pin instead of to the headplate. By this construction the coupling-pin is limited in its vertical movement to prevent it from leaving the coupling-pin perforation of the draw-head, and it may be readily applied to any ordinary draw-head. The connection between the couplingpin and the d raw-head also permits the former to be readily removed should it become broken.

The floor of the draw-head 1 is provided with a series of longitudinal grooves 2l,at the inner end of each of which an escape-opening 22 is formed, said openings being provided in the floor of the draw-head, and any dirt or other foreign substances which may enter said draw-head pass into the longitudinal grooves 21 and through the escape-openings 22, thereby preventing undue accumulation of such substances within said draw'head. The grooves 21 extend the entire length of the opening which receives the pin-supporting block, so that the entire surface over which the block moves is grooved, and any accumulation will be carried along the groove by the block, to the escape-openings or to the outer end of the floor of the draw-head. 1n rear of the escape-openings 22 and formed at the bottom of the central longitudinal passage 6 is an elongated slot 23, the purpose of which is to permit the insertion of a suitable implement for holding the inner end of the coiled spring 7 until the securing-pin 5) may be passed through the slot 8, formed in the stem 5 of the pin-supporting block 4.

In the upper side of the draw-head 1 and at the rear end of the latter, a circularsocket 24 is formed, at one side of which is a guideslot 25, and disposed in the socket 24 is the pear-shaped head 26 of a coupling-bar 27, said coupling-bar lying within the slot 25and being held therein by a transverse pin 28. Through the medium of thecoupling-bar 2 and the manner in which the same is connected to the draw-head 1 it will be readily seen that said draw-head may be secured to a car in a very simple but durable manner.

For the purpose of elevating the couplingpin 2 a chain 29 is secured to the couplingpin by means of the key or ring 17, and the upper end of the chain is designed to be connected with any suitable operating mechanism for enabling the coupling-pin to be elevated from the top and sides of a freight-car or the platform of a coach.

The operation and ad vantages of the herei ndescribed car-coupling will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. \Vhcn it is desired to use the coupling, a link similar to that shown in thedrawings is inserted in the draw-head 1 by first elevating the couplingpin 2 and then forcing the sliding pin-supporting block 4 into said draw-head. This will enable the link to be passed into a position where the coupling-pin may be dropped through the same, and by reason of the coiled spring 7 exerting its tension to force the pinsupportiug block outwardly the nose 10 is forced into the notch in the end of the link, thereby pressing the latter against the coupling-pin 2. of the pin-supporting block 4 is inclined to permit the coupling of cars having drawheads arranged at different elevations and that the notches 11 formed therein receive the end of the link said link will be supported in its proper position for entering an opposing draw-head without the necessity of an attendant passing between the cars. \Vhen, however, the li'nk is in the approaching drawhead, the coupling-pin is held in a position to lock the couplings by the supporting-block 4, which is forced outwardly by the coiled spring 7 to a sufficient extent as to lie beneath the upper opening 3 in the draw-head, thus forming a support for the lower end of the pin 2, and when the link which is ,carried by the approaching draw-head contacts with said pin-supporting block 4 the latter is forced inwardly and slides from beneath the couplingpin, which drops by gravity through the link and couples the draw-heads. To release the coupling-pin 2, the operating-chain 29 is manipulated so as to raise said eoupling-pin,when the link may be readily withdrawn, and by reason of the stay-chains 19 limiting the upward movement of the coupling-pin 2 said pin may be drawn to a sufficient height as to enable the pin-supportin g block 4 sliding outwardly to a sufficient extent as to retain the pin in its elevated position for coupling.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a ear-coupling which is simple, efficient, and durable; that the same is auto- From the fact that the outer end matic in operation, thereby overcoming the necessity of an attendant passing between cars to couple or uncouple the same; that-the link is supported in its properposition for readily entering an opposing draw-head when coupling, and, finally, that dirt and other foreign substances are prevented accumulating in the draw-head, thus permitting the coupling to always remain clean and in a condition for easy operation.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. A car-coupling comprising a sliding pinsupporting block, a draw-head having a coup lingpin perforation and provided with an opening to receive the pin-supporting block and having in its floor, a series of longitudinal grooves arranged at intervals inthe spaces between the coupling-pin perforation and the sides of the draw-head and extending inward from the front thereof the entire length of the block-receiving opening and provided near their rear ends with escape-openings extending through the floor of the draw-head, said grooves being adapted to carry off dirt and other foreign matter and prevent the same from clogging the sliding block, and a coupling-pin arranged in the coupling -pin perforation and adapted to be supported by the block, substantially as described.

2. In a car-coupling, the combination of a draw-head, a coupling-pin, a sliding pin-supporting block mounted within the draw-head and having its outer end inclined and provided with a centrally-arranged nose extending upward from the lower face of the block to the top thereof, and a link provided at each of its ends with a central notch adapted to be engaged by the nose of the block whereby the link is interlocked with the block and held against lateral 'or downward movement to maintain it in position for guiding it into the mouth of another draw-head, substantially as described.

In a car-coupling, the combination of a draw-head provided with a coupling-pin perforation, the transverse guide-plate 12 arranged on the top of the draw-head and provided with a perforation registering with the coupling-pin perforation, a transverse headplate 15 having a perforation, the couplingpin arranged in the perforations of the drawhead and the plate 12 and having its upper end reduced and passing through the perforation of the head-plate 15, an operatingchain engaging the upper end of the coupling-bar disposed in said socketand guideslot and adapted to secure the draw-head to a car, and a transverse fastening device for retaining said coupling-bar in said socket and guide-slot, substantially as set forth.

5.- A car-coupling, comprising a draw-head provided in its floor with a series of longitudinal grooves having escape-openin gs through said floor to prevent accumulation of dirt and other foreign substances within said drawhead, said draw-head being also provided with a longitudinal passage, a pin-supporting block disposed within the draw-head and provided with a stem having an elongated slot formed therein, said stem sliding within the longitudinal passage, a coiled spring encircling said stem, a securing pin passing through the slot of the stem and the drawhead and adapted to limit the outward movement of the pin-supporting block, said coiled spring being disposed between the inner end of the pin-supporting block and said securing-pin and adapted to force said pin-supporting block outwardly, a coupling-pin disposed in the draw-head and adapted to be retained in an elevated position by the supporting-block, a guide-plate mounted upon the drawhead, pins passing through said guide-plate and the draw-head and adapted to secure the guide-plate on the latter, a headplate secured to the coupling-pin, stays connected to the ends of the head-plate andthe guide-plate and adapted to limit the upward movement of the coupling-pin, and means for operating the coupling-pin, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEO. W. HAMILTON.

WVitnesses:

HARRY BOWEN, T. O. STALLO.

ICC 

